Calling all Baltimore/D.C./surrounding area bassists!

finalrequiem · #1 02-02-2010, 08:44 AM

Ok, so this has nothing to do with whether you are a bassist or not BUT- My best friend, me, and our wives are going to be in Baltimore and D.C. from Feb. 12th - 18th and I need some suggestions on where to eat. No Mexican, as we have Mexican that's as good as it gets all over down here. I'm REALLY interested in some places (especially seafood, italian, and steak) that are incredible but maybe are only locally known...

So, where should we eat?

**baba** · #2 02-02-2010, 09:02 AM

If you make it to Annapolis, go here for an authentic down home Chesapeake Bay seafood joint: http://www.cantlers.com/

In Baltimore, go here for great beer and food. They specialize in Belgian style ales: http://www.thebrewersart.com/

For one of the best cheesesteaks south of Philly, check out Magerks in Baltimore: http://www.magerks.com/baltimore/index.php

That's a start.

finalrequiem · #3 02-02-2010, 04:47 PM

After work bump!

Holy War · #4 02-02-2010, 04:54 PM

When youre in DC, go to 14th and U. Theres a place there called Ben's Chili Bowl. It is one of the coolest/best chili and hot dog resteraunts in DC/America. Has tons of history and the food is amazing! A Half-Smoke with the works will change your life, trust me!

Also, hit up Old Town Alexandria for some very fine dinning or just walk around Georgetown. G-Town has an abundance of extremely nice bars and resteraunts and they are all within walking distance of one another.

In Baltimore, the same could be said for the Inner Harbor and its surrounding area. Lots of nice bars and resteraunts within walking distance of one another, so just go out and discover!

**baba** · #5 02-03-2010, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holy War

When youre in DC, go to 14th and U. Theres a place there called Ben's Chili Bowl. It is one of the coolest/best chili and hot dog resteraunts in DC/America. Has tons of history and the food is amazing! A Half-Smoke with the works will change your life, trust me!

He speaks the truth.

Jim Nazium · #6 02-03-2010, 10:09 AM

+1 to Ben's Chili Bowl

finalrequiem · #7 02-04-2010, 09:49 AM

Any TB'rs playing up there anywhere from the 12th-18th?

finalrequiem · #8 02-05-2010, 11:07 PM

GassieBall · #9 02-05-2010, 11:10 PM

If you want to try the crabcakes (for which Maryland is known), go to G&M's near the BWI Airport. Not a really fancy place, but yummy.

ADbassman · #10 02-05-2010, 11:43 PM

If you're looking for Italian, I recommend Otello in Dupont Circle in D.C. Easily the best Tiramisu I've ever had.

finalrequiem · #11 02-07-2010, 05:23 PM

bump!

**baba** · #12 02-08-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GassieBall

If you want to try the crabcakes (for which Maryland is known), go to G&M's near the BWI Airport. Not a really fancy place, but yummy.

Great suggestion! They actually renovated with a new dining room, so while not uber fancy, it isn't a dive anymore. Awesome crab cakes!

finalrequiem · #13 02-08-2010, 07:44 AM

Is the Obrycki's in BWI anything like the Pratt street location? I'm asking because the Pratt st spot is closed but we fly in and out of BWI.

finalrequiem · #14 02-09-2010, 11:15 AM

bump?

jive1 · #15 02-09-2010, 12:45 PM

It all depends on where you are. Especially now with the snow, things are harder to get to than usual. The usual traffic makes it bad enough as is. Let us know around where you will be staying, and I'll be glad to help.

IMO, compared to the rest of the country, DC isn't that great for steak, seafood, and Italian. The best stuff around here is the ethic cuisine - Korean BBQ, Peruvian Chicken, Middle Eastern Kababs, etc...

For the best burgers, you stop by Five Guys. They are all over, and they are awesome.

But for Italian, the place to go IMO is Zefarelli's in Herndon. Get the veal chop. It is to die for. Not cheap, but totally awesome. You may be tempted to order other things from the menu, and they are good. But the veal chop is THAT good. I would have no problem stealing it from a homeless old lady to get a bite.

And if you stop by Alexandria on the weekend, you need to stop by Jive Sound.
For food in Alexandria, go to old town, and go to King Street. Restaruant Eve for their lickety split lunch is the best deal in town for fine dining. Mai Tai at the end of King street has awesome Thai food. Breakfast at Bread and Chocolate is nice for a Euro style meal. The Charthouse near the Potomac has good seafood and steak.

finalrequiem · #16 02-09-2010, 01:24 PM

I've been hoping to get by your place, to be honest. My best friend/guitar player and I promised our wives this would be a no-music trip since it's for their anniversaries but they have been warming up to us stopping by a few shops, lol... We are staying at the Hotel Monaco in Baltimore, by the way.

kcamsdog1387 · #17 02-09-2010, 01:25 PM

If you around the White House and want some lunch, check out the Exchange Sports Saloon. This was my go to bar when I was living in town. The usual crowd is professional during the day/ early evening and it gets a little rowdy come night time. Its been a few years, but I'm sure its still a great place.

Awesomenaut · #18 02-09-2010, 03:34 PM

I'm having a hard time thinking of specific places, but general area's are coming through...

*Baltimore:

Fell's Point. I've never been there at night, but it looks like the nightlife can be a lot of fun. The shopping closes up pretty early at a lot of the places, so if that's your thing get there during the day. Lots of nice looking restaurants

Inner Harbor: I'd suggest staying in the absolute heart of the Inner Harbor if you go. Especially at night. The few times I've been outside the tourist areas after dark have been a tad bit scary. Cops on every corner, and a street entirely lined with strip joints.

*DC:

U Street Corridor: Lots of restaurants and nightlife. Check out DC9 and The Velvet Lounge for drinks. As mentioned before, Ben's Chili Bowl is something that has to be seen.

Georgetown: Kind of DC's shopping district. I think it's nowhere near as cool as it used to be, but it's still pretty crowded whenever I go up there. A lot of food to be had there, too.

Chinatown: Nicer chain restaurants and some fancier ones too, some shopping, lots of chinese food (obviously), and kind of worth seeing.

H Street Corridor (AKA Atlas District): Bar central. Sticky Rice is a pretty cool sushi joint out there, too. Of note, it's not metro accessible. There's apparently a shuttle, but I've never taken it.

*Northern Virginia:

Old Town Alexandria: Nicer shopping and restaurants. Never really been my place, but the nightlife is pretty cool. If you go out there at night, definitely check out the Bayou Room. Good times.

Falls Church: Worth mentioning I guess because two of my more preferred bars are out there. Check out The Beach Shack and Ireland's Four Provinces for drinks.

Clarendon: Arlington's shopping/nightlife district. Upscale-ish shopping and restaurants. Also some really cool night clubs. Check out The Galaxy Hut for an amazing beer selection and some really intimate shows.

Thunderitter · #19 02-09-2010, 06:53 PM

In D.C. you should head for the happy hour raw bar at the Old Ebbit Grill (a block from the White House) on 15th St. It's from 3-6pm and 11-1am. They have not only the best oysters in town but they are half price at happy hour!

If you are there on a Monday or Tuesday, go to the side bar on your left and up the stairs as you go in the door. The barman on duty should be a jovial Scottish chap called Brian. Tell him Davie from Troon sent you and you will be well looked after.

It an easy place to get to if you've done the touristy things on the Mall in the afternoon and there isn't a better way to finish the afternoon than oysters and a good pint of Guinness!

If you fancy a great pizza and an amazing selection of beer, head to Pizza Paradison on M St in Georgetown (near the Key Bridge). Good affordable food and amazing beer. That's twice I've said that!!

Against Will · #20 02-09-2010, 10:31 PM

If you're around 18th st. NW in DC (18th & U NW) late one night, stop by Amsterdam Falafel, its great.

As for Baltimore, its known for its crab cakes. People around here won't shut up about them. I don't know which place has the best because I went veg before moving here, but it might be worth checking out (just be careful, they can get reaaaaaally expensive).

I know you said no Mexican, but Golden West Cafe in Hampden does Tex-Mex with a little twist. The service can be a little slow, depending on when you go, but the food is very good. If that's not your thing, you can check out Rocket to Venus, also in Hampden. It does typical pub grub with a little gourmet spin, but still pretty reasonably priced. Again, this gets really crowded Fri & Sat. nights, so I'd go on an off night, or for lunch or something. Hampden is a pretty cool neighborhood.

Out-of-towners (who've probably seen too many episodes of "The Wire") always say to stay in the Inner Harbor, which is fine if you want to hang out at the ESPN Zone and the Best Buy. But if you want to go somewhere people actually LIVE, Hampden is the place to go. W36th st. has lots of cute boutiques, books stores and antique shops. If chain stores are your thing, though, I would just go up to one at the Towson Town Center. Its huge and has a whole lot of different stores, from Build-a-Bear, to Delia's to Louis Vuitton. There's really no reason to hang out in the Inner Harbor unless that's where your hotel is and you don't have a rental car. Or if you want to see the Aquarium (which is pretty cool).